I understand that your DS's happiness is your top priority.I think you will find that since he won't be going to school until 2013 that it would be not much use talking to people now as school change with new principals etc. A good way of seeing a school is to go to fetes or market days they have- this wil show you the parents in action (trust me this can often be more important than the teachers LOL)When he goes to playgroup/preschool too you will meet people that are involved in local schools.